Writers and studio executives issued a joint statement that they will open informal discussions “to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations,” reports Reuters.

WGA said it decided against picketing the Feb. 10 Grammy Awards, and, in an effort to bring “a speedy conclusion to negotiations,” would withdraw two of six issues that the studios demanded they drop on Dec. 7.

In the meantime, TV writers and actors are funneling their creative energies onto the stage. According to Variety, 16 striking TV writers have collaborated on a lineup of short plays featuring TV actors. Profits will go to the Motion Picture and TV Fund, benefiting non-writers affected by the strike.

Also:

Images of Hillary Clinton appeared in Bazaar's February spread called “The Politics of Fashion,” after she withdrew from a photo shoot with Vogue, a move denounced by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. WWD suggests that the magazine bought the images from a photo agency and compiled the spread with cutouts.

Whole Foods will stop offering plastic bags beginning Earth Day, April 22. According to The New York Times, Whole Foods is influential enough in the grocery industry to potentially prompt other chains to look at the bag issue.

The New York Times Company is one of many companies investing in Automattic, the provider of the Wordpress blog platform.